Women Lawyers from Chennai Bar write to CJI, seek intervention to stop circulation of offensive video featuring retired Justice CS Karnan

Ten women lawyers from the Chennai Bar have written to the Chief Justice of India seeking intervention to prevent and stop circulation of a video that featured retired High Court Judge, Justice CS Karnan. The video is allegedly offensive to women and the judiciary..As per this letter by the lawyers, the retired Judge is seen in the video making a statement that "he had already threatened to sexually assault the wives of thirteen former and present Supreme Court judges and a retired woman judge of the Supreme Court".Additionally, the retired Judge allegedly also names several women court staff and lawyers who he claims were sexually abused and harassed by Supreme Court and High Court Judges. In doing so, Karnan reveals the identity of these alleged victims of sexual offences.."The video and its contents are outrageous, reprehensible and constitute offences under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, 1998, 66A if the Information and Technology Act and Sections 292,354 A and 506 of the IPC. What is worse is naming the alleged victims, an act prohibited by law, a fact that a judge should surely know," the letter addressed to CJI says..The statements made by Karnan in this video which is being circulated on WhatsApp reveals "deeprooted misogyny" and also asserts patriarchal construction of gender and sexuality, the letter by women Bar members says. It is in fact appalling that such statements come from a person who held a constitutional post and discharged constitutional duty of ensuring gender justice and equality, it further says..The women lawyers apprehend that if this questionable video message and statement is left unchecked it will lead to increase in violence against women and send out a "dangerous signal to depraved men, who seem to exist in large numbers"..Karnan allegedly also invoked Dr. Ambedkar's name in the video in question, calling himself the "foster son of Dr. Ambedkar". The letter has also sought to express anguish at the "misuse of Dr. Ambedkar's name to denigrate women". A reference to Nelson Mandela is also made in the video statement, which the letter claims is "offensive and shockingly racist"..Karnan's actions have brought the lawyers to question the method of appointment of Judges, raising questions about the opaque system of judicial appointments. It is said,."This sorry state of affairs is a direct consequence of the opaque nature of judicial appointments and lack of accountability. After Mr.Karnan was found guilty of criminal contempt and sent to prison, former CJI, Justice K.G.Balakrishnan, who headed the Collegium that appointed him, professed ignorance about his suitability and said that the Supreme Court Collegium completely relies upon screening by the High Court Collegium. There are other instances of persons being chosen for elevation, despite their unsuitability. Until appointments are made on the basis of objective criteria with complete transparency and accountability, there exists the risk of the judiciary being exposed to such ridicule and losing credibility.".The events reveal the need for a gender sensitization program to be conducted periodically with the involvement of those who are experienced in the field of women's rights, the letter says pointing out that the Judges too are capable of being biased and holding prejudices and are not infallible.While the root issue can be addressed through the long term solution of sensitization programs, the immediate concern of the viral video requires urgent action..As such, the lawyers writing this letter have requested the CJI to take immediate steps to stop and prevent further circulation of the video in question which contains offensive remarks against women as well as the judiciary.A request is made for strict action not only against Karnan but also against the third parties involved in circulating this video..The requests made in the letter are twofold:the website server/social media that is being used to circulate the video should be directed to take down the video forthwith and an investigation into the source of the video, the identity of the persons responsible for recording and uploading it and the time and place of recording, be ordered, based on which further action may be taken..The letter is signed by ten women lawyers from the Chennai Bar.